The Best Classic Chili

The Best Classic Chili is a traditional chili recipe just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.

This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes.  The only thing to chop is an onion.

I’ve been playing around with this recipe for the past few months, making it many times.  My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!

How To Make Homemade Chili

• Heat olive in a large soup pot. 
• Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
• Cook for 6-7 minutes.

• Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. 
• Stir until well combined.

• Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce. 
• Stir well.

• Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
• Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

What do you top chili with?

In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe, you may also want to have these things as toppings.

• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream
• sliced green onions
• saltine crackers or oyster crackers
• diced avocado

More Great Chili Recipes

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Easy Chili Mac

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The Best Classic Chili Recipe

4.96 from 3758 votes

The Best Classic Chili is a traditional chili recipe just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Video

Servings 6 servings

Calories 334 kcal

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Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion -diced
• 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder*
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper** -optional
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

Instructions

• Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
• Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
• Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
• Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

*The brand of chili powder you use will have a huge difference in how spicy your chili will be. Different brands of chili powder have VERY different levels of spiciness.

I always use McCormick Chili Powder (No affiliation) because it is flavorful without being spicy.

**I typically skip the cayenne pepper because I have a young kiddo.  Then, I put out some hot sauce for those adults that want to add some spiciness to their chili.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 12.8mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 7.5mg

Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Keyword best chili, chili recipe, classic chili, homemade chili

Cuisine American

Author Amanda Finks

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Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.